Reporter for The Canberra Times

Public servants at Australia's Customs agency have been told by their boss to read a newspaper for details of the government's plans for sweeping changes to their workplaces.

Customs Chief Executive Mike Pezzullo told his 5000 workers on Friday morning that they should read a newspaper opinion piece by Immigration Minister Scott Morrison for details on the merger of their agency with the Immigration Department.

Mr Pezzullo did have some information to share with his subordinates about the new agency which will have the dramatic new name; Australian Border Force.

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"In short, the Australian Border Force will draw together the operational border, investigations, compliance, detention and enforcement functions of our service and the Department of Immigration and Border Protection," the Customs' chief wrote in a bulletin to workers.

"Policy, regulatory and corporate functions will combine within the broader department."

An official announcement from Mr Morrison on the merger is due shortly.

Deep cuts elsewhere in the service have also been predicted as well as departmental mergers and the abolition of many programs.